Aquaculture

Farmed Abalone Welfare

Abalone farming is expanding globally for luxury seafood markets, with limited welfare standards despite evidence that abalone are capable of nociceptive responses.

Key Facts

Abalone are gastropod molluscs farmed primarily in China, South Africa, and Australia
High stocking densities in abalone tanks cause competition and reduced feeding access
Temperature and oxygen management are critical as abalone are highly stress-sensitive
Handling stress causes measurable physiological responses in abalone
Evidence for nociception in molluscs is growing though their capacity for suffering remains debated

Welfare Considerations

Abalone welfare is understudied relative to their commercial importance. As evidence for molluscan nociception grows, precautionary welfare standards are increasingly warranted.

What You Can Do

Support research into abalone sentience and welfare-relevant biology
Advocate for precautionary welfare standards in abalone farming systems
Raise awareness of farmed invertebrate welfare in seafood purchasing decisions
Choose certified seafood where possible and ask retailers about welfare standards